Chapter 87: Unique Feedback

Count Daise's treasury is vast, but this is only one of his treasuries.

"These are all the Count's whale glue."

The butler led Tie Li to a secluded corner of the treasury, where dozens of whale glues were displayed, the worst of which were eight hundred years old.

The butler carefully took out a five-thousand-year whale glue, placed it in a box, and handed it to Tie Li.

"What's the deal with those whale glues?"

Tie Li pointed to several whale glues in the corner; their color was poor and they lacked the faint fragrance of normal whale glue.

"Perhaps they were forgotten last time; these whale glues weren't stored properly and show signs of desiccation, so their effect will be much poorer," the butler said, intending to dispose of the low‑quality whale glues.

"Wait, could you give them to me? I'm willing to pay," Tie Li hurriedly said.

These whale glues weren't for his own use; Tie Li intended to take them back to the gathering place of the Thunder Attribute Plant-type Soul Beasts and use the desiccated whale glues as their feed.

Since forming an affinity with them, a special bond has existed between him and them.

Just as they help him refine the Thunder and Lightning Attribute, Tie Li also wishes to lend them a hand.

"These aren't worth much anyway; if you want them, take them," the butler waved his hand, saying indifferently.

"Thank you," Tie Li replied.

Looking at the desiccated whale glues, a thought flashed through Tie Li's mind.

Even Count Daise's treasury has desiccated whale glues, so the external merchant guilds or markets must have faced similar issues; such glues wouldn't be discarded outright, most likely they're dealt with cheaply.

He could buy them from those sources; the quality is poor, but the quantity should be ample and the price cheap, so he can purchase them as feed.

After all, it's still whale glue; in sufficient quantity, it will certainly help them a lot.

Before leaving the treasury, Tie Li glanced again at its other sections; worthy of nobility, the treasury indeed held many treasures.

But outside the treasury, a Soul Master was watching everything; if Tie Li made any move, the Soul Master would act without hesitation.

Tie Li is temporarily staying at the Count's manor; although his injuries didn't hit vital points, they still need time to heal.

These two days are perfect for visiting the major merchant guilds and oceanic trade markets to see how many desiccated whale glues he can buy.

……

"Be careful in the future; don't stray from the herd."

In a certain sea area of Hanhai City, Count Daise loosened the chains binding a female mermaid.

The moment the female mermaid touched the ocean, her legs transformed into a beautiful fish tail.

"Human, why…"

The female mermaid couldn't comprehend why the human before her suddenly released her and sent her back to the sea; his gaze had just been filled with desire, which frightened her.

Count Daise took a shell necklace from his chest, which emitted a faint soul power ripple.

"Leave quickly!"

The female mermaid stared deeply at Count Daise, wanting to imprint his visage in her mind.

"Plop"

Diving into the sea, her figure vanished from sight in an instant.

……

Tie Li roamed the major merchant guilds and oceanic trade markets these two days and indeed bought a fair amount of desiccated whale glue.

Perhaps Tie Li's unusual behavior these two days caught Count Daise's attention, prompting him to have his subordinates tail him for half a day, resulting in the news of Tie Li's purchase of desiccated whale glue.

"Didn't I give him a five‑thousand‑year whale glue and a three‑thousand‑year one? How could he finish them so quickly?"

Moreover, once the whale glue isn't stored properly and shows desiccation, its effect diminishes; even if he consumes more, the result will be the same," Count Daise thought, puzzled.

But over these two days, the butler at the Count's manor's gaze toward Tie Li underwent a subtle change.

His attitude toward Tie Li became more respectful and distant.

Back in his room, Tie Li tallied the whale glues bought over the two days; the youngest were ten years old, the oldest five hundred years, prices varied but were all cheap.

He spent over nine hundred Gold Soul Coins.

The storage ring held well over a hundred pieces of whale glue.

His injuries had mostly healed; by early tomorrow he could set out, leave Hanhai City, and return to Bai Ni Mountain.

Originally, two days ago, Count Daise had hinted—intentionally or not—at his intention to recruit him, but for some reason he suddenly fell silent.

Tie Li didn't think much of it; after all, he didn't plan to stay at Count Daise's place, and not being disturbed was best.

At dawn the next day, Tie Li left the Count's manor; in the morning of Hanhai City, the air was sticky and humid, a sensation that made Tie Li, who had never lived in a coastal city, feel very uncomfortable.

After exiting Hanhai City, Tie Li kept heading east, just as when he arrived, resting only once en route, the rest spent on the road.

Returning again to Bai Ni Mountain, there was little change; Tie Li skillfully arrived at Qiaoshi Di, near the Baidi area.

Sensing the familiar soul power on Tie Li, the Thunder Attribute Plant-type Soul Beast emitted affectionate soul power ripples.

"This time I've brought you something good."

Tie Li took out over a hundred pieces of desiccated whale glue from the storage ring and scattered them over the area where he often meditates and cultivates.

The whale glues fell into the gathering place; the Plant Soul Beasts' interwoven thunder and lightning generated heat, quickly breaking down and melting the glue, emitting a faint fragrance.

In just a moment, the Thunder Attribute Plant-type Soul Beasts in this area absorbed the whale glue, forming a special pattern.

"Hoo‑hoo"

The Plant Soul Beasts before Tie Li split to the sides, deliberately clearing a path; their soul power ripples guided Tie Li to step into it.

Following their guidance, he walked straight to a clearing.

"May I meditate and cultivate here?"

"Hoo"

Receiving a confirming response, Tie Li didn't hesitate, sat cross‑legged on the ground, and began to meditate and cultivate.

Tie Li could clearly sense his affinity with them rising; now they would certainly not harm him.

This feeling is very strange; even though no expression was made, it can be sensed clearly in the heart.

In the original timeline, when Tang San obtained the Fifth Soul Ring, it seemed to be under the support of a group of blue‑silver grass.

But he has the bloodline of the Blue Silver Emperor within him; this destiny is unique to him and cannot be replicated.

Tie Li has a clear understanding of himself; being of common birth, he has no special bloodline, and he does not consider this an opportunity comparable to Tang San's.

It is more like a feedback: he gave them whale glue, allowing them to benefit, and they in turn feedback to him.

At this moment, Tie Li's position is clearly the central spot of this area.

The instant he entered meditation, the purple arcs on Tie Li's body resonated with the lightning emitted by the Plant Soul Beast.

At this moment, Tie Li feels he has become a member of the Plant Soul Beast.

Each Plant Soul Beast releases a unique aura that converges toward Tie Li in the central area.

(End of chapter)